Editors' Review

PortableApps Suite (Standard Edition) takes an old-school approach to mobile computing. Instead of hosting programs online, PortableApps is a comprehensive application suite that fits onto and runs from almost any device with at least 512 MB of space.

The suite's flexibility is impressive. It manages some of the best freeware applications from a taskbar menu that runs instantly when clicked on. User-favorites Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird are here, as well as the entire OpenOffice.org office suite, a calendar and day planner app, an instant messenger manager, an anti-virus program, and even a Sudoku game.

Impressively, the range of supported programs goes far beyond those in the Standard Suite. Others you can download include a media player, a Web page editor and even a version of the Mac OS. Along with all the software, PortableApp provides support for all your ancillary settings, plug-ins, buddy lists, and document and media files.

The download and installation is quick, if not lightning fast, and the interface menu looks as good as it is straightforward. We'd like to see a way to synchronize settings and extensions in future versions, although if you use portable apps exclusively you simply take your settings with you.

read more +

Publisher's Description

PortableApps Suite is a collection of portable apps, including the integrated PortableApps Menu and the PortableApps Backup utility along with a set of custom icons, an autoplay configuration, folders and a quick start shortcut. Just drop it on your portable device and you're ready to go.

Several very useful apps are included in the suite and many more available from portableapps.com and download.com. There are even tools on potable apps to make some of your other favorite programs portable.

Cons

Most programs that you buy don't have portable versions that you can plugin so you have to settle for freeware equivalents. Then again you might be able to use AppCompactor to make some of your favorite programs portable.

Summary

As a web designer I can carry all the tools I need to create websites there's even a portable Apache web server available in the form of XAMPP. I also have portable versions of KompoZer, Gimp, 7zip, PuTTY, FileZilla, and Firefox installed installed. Essentially everything you need to design most any website and I can carry it all on my thumbdrive. Hopefully someday soon there will be a Flash editor.

I have another Drive that I use for fixing other peoples computers. With Toucan backup, ClamWin Antivirus, Command Prompt, Eraser,and WinDirStat. I can fix most problems right from my thumbdrive.

I cant praise this software enough you have to download it and try it out for yourself.

FREE; Lots of handy tools; portable so all your bookmarks, extentions/add-ons and settings go with you; doesn't leave any history on the computer

Cons

Limited apps - not all applications are available in a portable version. You can't just install the regular version of the application you want to make it a portable one (i.e. MS Outlook)

Summary

I travel a lot and it is essential for me to be able to be productive where ever I am. This is the PERFECT application that I wish I would have discovered sooner because I can take all of my Firefox settings with me on the go and use them when I'm out of town. I can have peace of mind knowing that my settings are always there because the applications are stored on my USB drive and it's secure because no confidential information is left behind on the computer I'm using.

The only drawback is the limited applications available for it. You can't just install any application as a portable one. I'm in love with MS Outlook and don't plan on getting divorced from it anytime soon! Portable Apps does make up for it though with plenty of other free, open source applications like Mozilla Thunderbird & Sunbird.

Once the applications are installed they show up on a nice, 'start menu' style dashboard that you can access from your system tray. It even allows quick, direct access to documents, music, pictures and videos stored on your portable device (USB drive, iPod, etc)

E-mail This Review

Thank You, !

Report Offensive Content

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.